1 sn The text of Esther does not disclose exactly how Mordecai learned about the plot against the king’s life. Ancient Jewish traditions state that Mordecai overheard conspiratorial conversation, or that an informant brought this information to him, or that it came to him as a result of divine prompting. These conjectures are all without adequate support from the biblical text. The author simply does not tell the source of Mordecai’s insight into this momentous event.
2 tc The LXX simply reads “Esther” and does not include “the queen.”
3 tc The LXX adds here “the things concerning the plot.”
tn Heb “in the name of Mordecai” (so NRSV); NIV “giving credit to Mordecai.”
4 tn Heb “Haman.” The pronoun (“he”) was used in the translation for stylistic reasons. Repeating the proper name here is redundant according to contemporary English style, although the name is repeated in NASB and NRSV.
